Be Careful What You Ask For

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”  I Samuel 8:4-5

Samuel, the last righteous judge over ancient Israel, was on up in years.  He appointed his two sons, Joel and Abiah, to fill the positions of judges in Beersheba, but they were too much like many of today’s politicians: in it for the money, taking bribes, and perverting justice.  They were, well, horrible.  The elders of Israel went to Samuel and demanded that he appoint a king over them.  That did not go over well with Samuel.  His first instinct was to pray to the LORD who told him to do what the people demanded.  God told Samuel that they were rejecting Him because of their disobedience and idolatry.

However, before acquiescing to the people’s demands, Samuel was to warn the people that in receiving a human king over them, they would be subject to whatever rules he ordered.  Among the new policies that would go into effect under the rule of a king, the first would be a military draft of young men into the king’s army.  They would be forced to obey whatever orders they were given.  Also, young women would be ordered to be cooks.  The best land would be confiscated for the king’s use, ten per cent of the crops would be taken for the army,  ten per cent of the sheep would be taken by the government, and the people would be made servants.  The worse part was that when the people would cry out because of their misery, God said that He would not hear them.  Even with all these warnings, the people still demanded a king.

Fast forward to today.  Certain segments of America’s population are clamoring for the political system known as socialism.  The younger people, in particular, are being mesmerized by all the talk of “free stuff”.  The younger generation has been so pampered and coddled that many of them apparently do not realize that “free stuff” is not really free because someone has to pay for it.  Most of them, not all, but many, have grown up with all of their needs and many of their desires being provided for them with very little effort on their part.  There are some young adults who have been taught the work ethic, the value of a dollar and thus appreciate living under freedom and the opportunities that freedom affords them.  They along with us older folks appreciate our nation as it was founded on the freedom to worship and the ability to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.  We can see the dangers that lie ahead if and when this nation does succumb under the thumb of a socialist dictator.  The first thing that will go will be the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  As far as a military draft goes, it will either return for both young men and young women and likely be used against those of us who dare to oppose the socialist government, or the military will be disbanded removing our defense against those who would destroy us.  Opportunities for success and incentives to better ourselves will disappear.  Life will be the furthest thing from utopia.

To me, the worst part about socialism is that it is a godless system.  Socialists attempt to turn government into a god.  They desire that people worship at the altar of whoever is in charge.  Some folks think that socialism will make everyone equal.  Yes, most of us will be equally poor, uneducated, and with little incentive to try and better ourselves, while those in charge, the elites, will have all the money and all the power.  In actuality, socialism is a step to communism, and then things get really bad.  America is certainly not perfect, but at least we are free, for now.  God knew that Israel’s desire for a king would bring them misery, but He said He would not hear them when they cried out to Him.  So what happens to America when misery comes upon us?  Will God hear our cries for mercy?  Will we be able to bear the consequences of our bad decisions?